Master’s in Climate Studies

The MSc in Climate Studies is a two‑year, interdisciplinary programme exploring climate change from scientific, ecological, economic and social perspectives. In the first year you follow coursework (60 ECTS) covering key processes, cycles and interactions underlying climate change, while in the second year you complete both an internship (24 ECTS) and an individual thesis (36 ECTS) — choosing from a range of specialisations and thesis tracks that match your interests. You will gain flexible, tailored training combining Earth‑, Life‑ and Social‑Sciences, with freedom to shape your own path, making you ready for research careers or professional roles addressing climate challenges globally. 

For more information on this programme's profile and learning outcomes, visit the Study Handbook of Climate Studies.

The first year consists of coursework (60 ECTS). As a student, you will gain a broad overview of climate change related issues by following compulsory courses, a selection of restricted optional courses and courses that you may choose freely (electives). Some of the compulsory and restricted optional subjects are specific for this programme, and others are part of the specialisation of your choice. The electives can be taken from any other relevant MSc programme offered by Wageningen University or by another academic institution. This means that you can adjust your personal programme to your own wishes, and either choose a further specialisation or a broadening of your programme. Your study adviser and thesis supervisor will assist you in this process. 

Specialisations and thesis tracks

Within the MSc programme Climate Studies, you can choose from five specialisations, and within each specialisation different thesis tracks have been identified. Each specialisation has its own coursework curriculum. The curriculum can also differ between students depending on their preparatory training. These courses primarily serve to prepare you for your thesis research. Go to specialisations.

Free choice

Within the programme there is also room for electives which you may use to broaden your scope or to deepen your knowledge on a topic within your specialisation. Have a look at the study handbook and you will get an impression on the courses offered at Wageningen University.

Career-oriented tracks 

In addition to the wide choice of scientific disciplines, you can choose to include one of the following career-oriented tracks or minors in your programme:

• Entrepreneurship
• Sustainable Development Diplomacy (only thesis track Environmental Policy)
• Research 

The second year consists of the academic internship (24 ECTS) and your thesis (36 ECTS) as the core components of the master’s degree curriculum.

Internship

The compulsory internship consists of 24 ECTS credits of project work in an institution outside of Wageningen University. The internship may either be undertaken abroad or in the Netherlands. The purpose of the internship is to provide students with a unique learning opportunity to apply learned skills and concepts to a professional setting. The experience gained from the internship also serves to help students focusing on their area of interest, as well as building confidence and maturity in their field. 

Internship positions

Whilst securing an internship is primarily a responsibility of the student, the internship coordinator will provide substantial assistance in finding a suitable position, ensuring that the work experience is relevant to the student's study programme. The student can choose an academic position within an NGO, government, company, waterboard, consultancy, research institute, etc.

Thesis

The thesis (individual research) is part of your thesis track and consists of 24 weeks of research and reporting (36 ECTS). Required courses to prepare for the thesis are mentioned in the course catalogue. The research is conducted under supervision of a staff member of one of the chair groups related to this MSc programme. Cooperative work with other chair groups is also possible. Students decide in consultation with the thesis supervisor about the topic of their research. The topic should be linked to the Climate Studies programme. Experimental thesis research requiring specialised equipment will usually be part of ongoing research programmes of Wageningen UR departments or research institutes. The research is concluded with a written thesis, which is graded by the supervisor together with another, independent staff member. The student also presents his/her results during a seminar ("colloquium"). 

The Master's in Climate Studies offers five specialisations and, within these specialisations, eleven different thesis tracks are offered. Below you can find an overview of the five specialisations. You can find more information in the Study Handbook of the programme, which includes a detailed list of the research areas and the common and optional courses that are part of the specialisations.

• The Physical Climate System: This specialisation focuses on understanding the processes that drive Earth’s climate—such as atmospheric dynamics, ocean circulation, radiation, and energy balances. You’ll learn to analyse climate models and large datasets to understand climate variability, change, and extremes. This track prepares you for roles in research, climate modelling, and policy advising on global environmental challenges.
• Biogeochemical Cycles: This specialisation explores how carbon, nitrogen, water, and other key elements move through the Earth's atmosphere, soil, oceans, and living systems. You will study how human activities and climate change disrupt these cycles and learn to model and monitor their dynamics. The programme prepares you to contribute to sustainable solutions for global environmental challenges.
• Ecological and Agroecological Systems: This specialisation explores how ecosystems and agricultural landscapes respond to climate change, with a focus on maintaining biodiversity and sustainability. You’ll study ecological processes, agro-ecological practices, and system interactions to develop strategies that support climate-resilient land use and food production. The programme combines ecological theory with practical tools for sustainable environmental and agricultural management.
• Human-Environment Interactions: This specialisation focuses on how human behaviour, policy, and institutions influence—and are influenced by—climate and environmental change. You’ll explore the social, political, and economic drivers of environmental challenges, and learn to design strategies for adaptation and sustainability. The programme combines climate science with social science to tackle real-world issues from a systems' perspective.
• Climate, Society and Economics: This specialisation explores how climate change impacts societies and economies, and how human behaviour, governance, and policy can influence climate action. You’ll analyse socio-economic drivers of climate change and learn to design effective responses that are both scientifically grounded and socially just. 

• Lectures – theoretical frameworks for climate processes and models.
• Practicals & lab sessions (laboratory, field and computer – collecting and interpreting data and field measurements.
• Group projects – interdisciplinary collaborations on real climate cases.
• Fieldwork – doing research in the field. For example, on hydrology or soil.
• Internship or thesis research – applied research in an institution outside the university.

At WUR, we see you as more than just a student number. That’s why we offer more access to lecturers, study advisors, and student counsellors than most universities in the Netherlands. This level of support reduces the risk of dropping out while adding a personal touch that enriches your academic journey—reflecting our sincere commitment to your success. 

• Master's in Urban Environmental Management also focuses on a diverse approach to environmental threats. But this master's study programme specifically focuses on urban environments.
• Master’s in Earth System Sciences: focuses on understanding earth sciences, like soil, water and athmosphere.
• Master’s in Environmental Sciences: Environment in a broader sense: it includes natural, social & technology sciences.

Are you curious to see how this study might score in comparison to similar studies? Check more information on Studiekeuze123.nl

In the MSc in programme Climate Studies, two subjects specifically focus on career preparation: the internship and the course Academic Master's Cluster (AMC). Besides, there are also additional possibilities related to career preparation.

Academic Master's Cluster (AMC)

In this course, students apply their knowledge in a real-life, interdisciplinary consultancy project. Climate Studies students can take part in the tailored AMC course Design of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies.

Internship

Students complete a four-month (or longer) internship at an external organisation, such as an NGO, research institute, or company, gaining hands-on experience and shaping their professional future.

Career-oriented tracks

Students can enhance their career prospects by choosing minors or special tracks offered by WUR or other institutions, allowing them to steer their study path toward specific professional goals.

• International Relations: The master's track in Sustainable Development Diplomacy combines theory and practice of international negotiations, helping students tackle global sustainability challenges. It is a variant of the Environmental Policy thesis track.
• Entrepreneurship: The master's track of Entrepreneurship allows students to put their ideas into action and create impact in fields such as food, environment, and health through sustainable innovation.
• Research: The WIMEK Graduate Programme and the WASS Graduate Programme offer advanced training and support for writing a PhD proposal, preparing students for a future in academia. Selection is competitive and includes certification upon completion.

Note: Some options are part of the master's programme, while others may need to be followed alongside it. Admission is limited and requires application.

The demand for scientists that are able to understand and investigate climate change issues is increasing. This will give you great career opportunities, for instance:

• Consultant at a consultancy firm.
• Expert at an international organisation like UN, IPCC.
• Applied climate change researcher and expert in the energy sector.
• Climate change expert at a local, national or European government.
• Researcher/lecturer at a university. 

Interested in the master's programme Climate Studies? Find out whether your knowledge and skills match the entry level of the programme.

The admission requirements for the master programme Climate Studies are defined in such a way that the students should be able to successfully complete at least one of the tracks of the programme nominally in two years. In order to comply, the student must have sufficient knowledge on either social, natural and/or life sciences and should be able to apply this knowledge to climate issues. Additionally, basic knowledge of statistics is required and students should be able to perform calculations. These admission criteria ensure that the student has a solid basis to follow the advanced studies in the master programme.

The criterion used for admission is

a WUR BSc degree in Environmental Sciences, Forest and Nature Conservation, International Land and Water Management, Landscape Architecture and Planning, Earth System Sciences, or equivalent.

The norm for this equivalence is

an assessment of the students' expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• Environmental sciences or studies (for example environmental quality, natural resource management, human-environment interactions, environmental policy or economics)
• Earth sciences (for example applied physics and/or chemistry, hydrology, meteorology)
• Life sciences (for example ecology, agriculture)
• Social sciences (for example policy, economics, governance)

And both the following topics:

• Mathematics (calculus)
• Basics in statistics

Not all topics mentioned need to be mastered at the same level; they will be weighed by the Admission Board per individual application.

Method of assessment whether this norm is met

Transcript of records displaying the content of previous course subjects and project work;

• Curriculum vitae displaying relevant work, internship and/or project experience on an academic level in a relevant field if applicable.

Scores attributed by the Admission Board

Admitted / not admitted / admitted under condition of obtaining the BSc or MSc degree / not admitted with offer of pre-master.

Additional context for admission

Please upload a personal statement in your application. This should contain information on:

• how was the required pre-knowledge acquired and how does it match with your ambitions in the programme? In case your knowledge on statistics and mathematics is not obvious from your transcript of records, please explain what and in which courses you addressed these topics.
• how will you compensate for missing knowledge?
• how come your GPA is (slightly) too low?

You can apply for this Master's here.

The Admission Board may allow and/or suggest compensation of knowledge gaps by:

• a GPA≥7.0* for the previous education for small discrepancies, as new knowledge is sufficiently easily acquired;
• a GPA≥7.0* and an individual pre-master's programme for larger discrepancies that can be compensated in ≤30 ECTS and one year of study. Discuss this before application with one of our study advisers.

*Check the general admissions page for the International credentials evaluation guide for international equivalencies to a Dutch GPA>7.0. This guide includes compensating factors for a slightly lower GPA the Admission Board may include in their judgement.  

Contact us to discuss the possibilities of a pre-master or how to mitigate knowledge gaps if you are still in the process of obtaining your degree.

Studying in the Netherlands costs money. Curious to see what you should expect? All information about the costs of this programme can be found on this page. 

Outside your study at WUR, you will most likely fill your life with other fun activities in and outside of Wageningen! Before you know it, you will be hanging out with your roommates, picnicking at the Rhine, visiting the market, or attending one of the many sport activities! All information about student life in Wageningen can be found on this page.